Volume 74, Number 10 | January 2024 | _________________________________
| January Annual Member Planning Meeting – Select LWVJoCo Priorities for 2024-25
Saturday, Jan. 13 | 9:00-10:45 a.m.
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church (SMUUCh)
9400 Pflumm Rd | Lenexa, KS 66215
Join us at 9:00 for coffee and treats followed by an interactive program. Members will select next year’s LWVJoCo priorities using Ranked Choice Voting. Here’s your chance to share your opinion, learn more about ranked choice voting, get your bingo cards stamped when you visit JoCo information tables to learn more about our work, and qualify for bingo prizes.
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| Winter Coat and Apparel Drive for Refugees being resettled in Kansas.
As you declutter during the holidays, we encourage you to think about refugees that are being resettled in the KC area. This year, Jewish Vocational Services has resettled 420 refugees, many who come with only the clothes on their back. New or gently used winter coats, sweaters and clothes for infants through adults are desperately needed. We will have a collection bin at the January meeting. | _________________________________
| Legislative Coffees Begin January 27
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LWV JoCo Book Club Set Up
From the November League meeting it is clear we love to read! To produce a book club for LWV JoCo that meets members’ needs, join a virtual planning meeting on Sunday January 14, 2024 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Please use the Events Calendar to register for this meeting.
Looking forward to having you join the discussion!
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| Election Methods Study - Consensus Meeting
Please join us for this important event. The Election Methods Study will likely lead to a Position Statement at the state level.
Members will have an opportunity to discuss and ask questions before voting.
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 9:15 a.m.
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church (SMUUCh)
9400 Pflumm Rd. | Lenexa, KS 66215
Beverages will be available at 9:00 a.m. This meeting will not be live-streamed or recorded. | _________________________________
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Happy New Year!
I used to make New Year’s resolutions. Truth be told, keeping the resolutions felt overwhelming and by the mid-February the resolutions had gone out the window.
Having said that, I like something else better. I’ve seen friends use Bible verses or inspirational quotes to guide them through the coming year.
While looking through inspirational quotes that espoused the League’s mission, our accomplishments, and our strategic plan, I found one from Winston Churchill.
The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
I believe our bold, ambitious plans for 2024 will be achieved. Why? I have confidence in our team leaders who will develop the plans with achievable goals. I have confidence in our volunteers who have the skills and commitment to work a task our leaders need. I have confidence in our donors who provide the financial resources we need. I have confidence we will be able to solve problems that may arise.
Check out our plans for 2024 that are just in the first three months!
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Join us on Saturday, January 13, at 9 a.m. for our Annual Member Planning Meeting where you’ll have the opportunity to rank your choices for our monthly meeting topics.
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We have five, count them, FIVE! Legislative Coffees scheduled in February and March. Be sure to check out LWVJoCo website for more information.
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We’ll prepare members and the public for the Presidential Preference Primary with our February program, March Presidential Preference Primary: Why? How? Who? We’ll explore: Why is it happening in March? How will it work? Who is in charge? Who can vote? Join us at SMUUCh beginning at 9 a.m. Details will be at LWVJoCo website.
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Finally, make sure your membership has been renewed by January 31, 2024, in order to be eligible to vote at our Annual Membership Business Meeting on March 2, 2024.
Help make 2024 a great success. Donate here!
Connie Taylor | |
Announcements:
January 13, 2024 Annual Member Planning Meeting, 9 a.m.
Register for the January 13 program planning meeting. You’ll have the opportunity to visit various teams to learn more about the opportunities for 2024, get your Bingo cards stamped to qualify for prizes, hear from Richard Pund about Ranked Choice Voting, and use ranked choice voting to have your voice heard on the priorities for meeting topics. And, of course, enjoy refreshments while socializing with other Leaguers.
SMUUCh Donations
For our January donation drive to say “Thank You” to SMUUCh for their hospitality at our January 13 meeting, SMUUCh has asked for soups, stews, and chili, either pre-made or ingredients like broth, beans, and spices.
Membership Renewals
To ensure eligibility for the Annual Meeting on March 2, 2024 make sure your membership has been renewed or you’ve joined the League by January 31, 2024. Please visit LWVJoCo Website for new or renewed membership or contact Nancy Allen, our membership chair, at membership@lwvjoco.org. | _________________________________
| March Presidential Preference Primary: Why? How? Who?
At our February meeting, we will explore:
❓Why is it happening in March?
❓How will it work?
❓Who is in charge?
❓Who can vote?
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Stephanie Abbott
Julia Gonzalez
Erin Woods
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In this month's Observer reports, find out:
1. Who is the new Mayor of Lenexa?
2. How many Shawnee Mission students are experiencing houselessness?
3. What is a "pump track" and why do residents want one in a county park?
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|  | 2024 New Year’s Resolution: Be an advocate!
As we reflect back on our exceptional work to increase voter turnout to record setting levels during the November 2023 local elections, you may be wondering how to carry this momentum into the new year. One way you can keep making an impact is to add “Be an advocate!” to your list of New Year’s resolutions. Our league will make this easier than ever by sending one “Advocate Action” each week in the 2024 legislative session.
If you want to get a head start, identify one issue that you are passionate about and use that as the basis for your weekly Advocate Action!
The League of Women Voters Kansas has selected these legislative priorities for the 2024 session of the Kansas Legislature:
Other issues we expect to be heavily discussed in the upcoming session are:
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Tax Policy
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Education Funding
Feel free to choose any of these issues, or one that isn’t listed, and stay tuned for the Advocate Action emails each Tuesday!
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| BOARD AND COMMITTEE BRIEFS
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The Holiday Social was a smashing success! Many thanks go out to Ellen Porter who coordinated
the Social, and to the Membership Committee who supported her work. Many of our partners
attended along with several city and state legislative representatives. It was a warm and lovely
way to start holiday festivities.
Did you know the LWV JoCo website is the backbone of our organization? We transferred to a
new website platform early in the pandemic lockdown and there is still work to do to strengthen
this tool. The Membership Committee requests each member to update their Member Profile
on the website. If you need help, send an email to Nancy Allen, Membership Chair.
New Member Orientation:
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Johnson County Library - Central Resource Library
9875 W 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
From LWVK's Voter Notes
SAVE THE DATE: League Day at the Capitol Feb. 14
We have had rousing approval from league members following our last two "League Day at the Capitol" events, so we will hold another on Wednesday,Feb. 14, 2024. The format will be similar: a morning of pertinent presentations from Kansas leaders. Lunch. Then league members can meet with their legislators, attend hearings, or the Senate session that generally starts at 2:30pm. Please plan to join us.
| LWV Kansas is a supporter of Kansas Rural Center's
Our partners at Mainstream and Loud Light publish newsletters with their observations on legislative action:
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Our monthly newsletter, The VOTER, provides information on League programs and events. Get it delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free!
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